Step 1 Preparation Take the plastic wrappers off the tips and fill IRROMETERS with

clean water. Do not handle the ceramic tip. Leave the instrument cap OFF and place the
tip of the IRROMETER in clean water overnight (use clean non-rusting glass jar, plastic
bucket or basin). Water in the instrument will drain through the tip and this operation may
be repeated as often as time permits. After soaking and you are ready to install, protect
the tip from air drying with wet paper towels or the plastic tip bag while transporting to the
installation site.

Soaking Tips

Step 2 Installation Drive a hole in the ground with an

Drive to exact depth of tip

IRROMETER Installing Tool or with a standard piece of 1/2 in. pipe.

Standard 1/2 in. pipe will make a hole for an exact fit. Install in the
root zone of the crop. Insert IRROMETERS in
the hole, leaving at least 1 in. of
space between the bottom of the
gauge and ground surface. Be sure
instrument is seated firmly in the
bottom of the hole.

Pushing on cap
Proper Installation

Poor Installation

Step 3 Servicing Fill all IRROMETERS with a diluted solution of

Breaking the air lock

Air removal

IRROMETER fluid (1 scant capful of concentrate to 1 gallon of water).

Fill the IRROMETERS to the circle on the reservoir. Tap top of the
IRROMETER with the palm of your hand to relieve any air lock. Take
the vacuum pump and extract air from the instruments by pulling a
vacuum of 80 85 cb (kPa) as registered on the gauge. Leave pump
on the instrument for 10 15 seconds to
allow air to rise and then release vacuum
gently. Refill if necessary and replace
cap until stopper comes in contact with
bottom of the reservoir, then continue
tightening for 1/4 turn only. Repeat
pumping as above each time, after
reading, for three or four times to
improve sensitivity.
Release valve

Optimizing Irrigation . . . Maximizing Conservation . . . Worldwide Since 1951

IRROMETER

Important Information
about your new

IRROMETER

Important Information
about your new

Step 4 Protection Instruments should be installed so they will not

be damaged by equipment during routine crop maintenance
operations. Stations should be covered and clearly marked for
protection. In areas with temperatures falling below 32 F (0 C) the
gauges must be protected against freezing. This can easily be done by
covering the gauges with an insulating material and placing a box over
the top to trap ground heat. In permanent tree crops or vineyards
IRROMETERs can be covered with dirt or the gauge removed from the
IRROMETER to eliminate the necessity of reinstalling the instrument.

Step 5 Storage In seasonal cropping, where the ground will

lie fallow over the winter, remove IRROMETERs before the first
frost, clean exterior thoroughly with water. DO NOT let the
ceramic tip dry while dirty.
Soak the tip in a clean plastic
bucket of water overnight with
clean water draining through
the tip, gravity flow. Air dry
instruments
and
store.
Gauges may have water in
them and must be stored
where temperatures are
above freezing.

Wet Storage

Tip Cleaning

Dry Storage

Please refer to your

IRROMETER Reference Book
furnished with the Service Unit
for complete information.

THE IRROMETER COMPANY, INC.

1425 Palmyrita Ave, Riverside, CA 92507
(951) 682-9505 PHONE
(951) 682-9501 FAX
www.IRROMETER.com
sales@IRROMETER.com

LITHO U.S.A. (2/12) #718